I was looking under the hood of a late-model ML, and the M-B battery also had the Exide brand name on it. What other manufacturers make batteries for Mercedes? I had heard less-than-stellar things about Exide batteries, but if they're good enough for M-B, I suppose they're good enough for me.

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

INTERSTATE makes batteries for M-B.
http://www.ibsa.com/estore/view_product_detail.asp?part_number=MTP-93&mscssid=PLXPXJABVUWJ8JSEPR85PRTKAH9779J1&js=1

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2007 C 230 Sport.

Varta makes a lot of MB batteries.

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Ali Al-Chalabi

2001 CLK55
1999 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel
2002 Harley-Davidson Fatboy
Merlin Extralight w/ Campy Record

I've always had good luck with Interstate...

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

They have a direct replacement battery ( complete with Star logo ).
Saw it at last years SEMA show & talked to the rep. about it.

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2007 C 230 Sport.

Don't confuse "brand" with manufacturer. The only other North American battery manufacturers besided Exide is Johnson Controls, and I think GM also makes batteries.

Johnson Controls does not sell their batteries under their own brand except Optima, but that's not a conventional wet battery. Most of the "house brand" batteries you see at Costco and the various auto parts chains are made my JC. The only difference is the stick on labels.

AFAIK GM still manufactures batteries under the Delco name, and they have never supplied any other brand.

Though a Group 48 battery is specified for my 190, a 40 dollar JC 26R fits fine. If you peel off the gaudy brand labels you have an unobtrusive black-cased battery, and I've never had one last less than seven years.

You can find out more by googling to the JC and Exide web sites.

Duke

You are 100% correct, I'm always humored with arguments over which retailer has the best battery. It really comes down to customer service. By the way is Gould still a battery manufacturer? I recently installed a exide battery in my 300E and did exactly what you stated. All stickers were removed and I placed a MBCA sticker on it to make it "official"

I haven't run across the Gould corporate name for some time. I expect they were bought out or merged years ago.

Duke

One of my clients in Johnson Controls. When my battery gave up, they gave me one straight out of their stash. The battery had a white casing with very little writing or graphics on it.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

I've been using a Sears Diehard for several years. It fits perfectly, especially regarding the position of the terminals. I've had no problems at all with it, but it does go on a solid-state trickle charger most of Dec. until May, indoors.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

I've used Interstate battery on all of my car, including my MB '96 E320. No problem at all

I have always had problems with Exide batteries. I have had good experiences with Die-hard, Interstate, Natulus, and Delco... Many batteries are simalar, it kinda depends on how well they are charged or abused... Get the biggest battery that will fit in your battery box...~Levon~

Check out the Optima too especially if it goes under the rear seat.

Len